Today we have two actions from 5Calls.org, protecting net neutrality, and decrying the regulation rollback allowing Sinclair-Tribune media merger to own media outlets for 72% of US households.

ACTION 1 - Demand protection for the open internet

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is expected to schedule the vote to overturn net neutrality for mid-December. Congress must speak up now against the gutting of free speech and consumer protections. - from 5Calls.org

Call the FCC Chair’s office and demand the open internet be preserved.

Ajit Pai, FCC Chair, (202) 418-1000

SCRIPT:“Hello, may name is [NAME] and my address is [YOUR FULL STREET ADDRESS including ZIP]. I’m calling to state my unequivocal disapproval that the FCC and Chair Pai are striving to overturn net neutrality and the open internet. Net neutrality is critical to provide fair and equal access to internet resources for all American people. As an American, I am appalled that the FCC would demolish protection for net neutrality.”

BACKGROUND (from 5Calls.org)“Internet users scored a significant victory in 2014 when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) installed protections for net neutrality and the "open Internet." Net neutrality allows all users to have equal access to everything available on the Internet, and prevents Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from essentially turning the internet into cable television -- creating fast and slow speeds for sites of their choosing and charging consumers premium prices for upgraded access. Without net neutrality, small businesses, low-income individuals, and much of rural America would lose access to affordable, reasonably-fast internet service."

On November 16th, the FCC voted to eliminate a 42-year-old regulation which disallowed one media outlet to own too many or too much of one market. This paves the way for the Sinclair-Tribune Media merger. - from 5Calls.org

SCRIPT:“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from Seattle [state FULL ADDRESS if calling Chair Ajit Pai]. I’m calling to express strong opposition to the F.C.C. vote last week lifting the regulation the opens the way for the merger of Sinclair Broadcasting and Tribune Media. The merger will expand Sinclair's reach beyond its legal audience cap of 39% to a massive 72% of US households, a single-ownership media domination which is unacceptable. This kind of media domination is against the best interests of the American people.”

“Sinclair Broadcasting, a heavily right-wing leaning media company, has been working to acquire Tribune Media in order to expand its reach into households across the country. Already the nation's largest TV broadcast company with stations in 81 markets reaching 38% of U.S. households, Sinclair's potential $3.9 billion merger with Tribune Media would add to its roster another 42 stations, extending its reach to a colossal 72% of U.S. households."

DID YOU KNOW? You can call your MOC's office after hours and leave a message with your opinion; you don't need to reach a call staffer in person to be tallied. Just be sure to leave your full name and address (including zip code) when leaving voicemail.